Magnetic jewelry clasp



y 2, 1953 J. GOODMAN ETAL 2,637,887

MAGNETIC JEWELRY CLASP Filed July 21, 1950 inventors Jar-mm: EGDD'MAN. 8ARNOLD EEILDMAN g (Incl-neg Patented May 12, 1953 MAGNETIC JEWELRY CLASPJerome Goodman and Arnold Goldman, Philadelphia, Pa.; said Goldmanassignor to said Good-.

man

Application July 21, 1950, Serial No. 17 5,235

2 Claims.

Our invention relates to a jewelry clasp and relates particularly to ajewelry clasp utilizing th attractive force of a, magnetic material.

In the past, it has been customary to use clas-ps for jewelry consistingof a plurality of small mechanical parts which were weak in structure.These clasps had the obvious disadvantages of being subject to failureunder accidental rough handling and difficult, if not impossible, torepair when broken, as well as being difficult to fasten and unfastenbecause of the smallness of the engaging parts.

It, therefore, is an object of our invention to provide a jewelry claspwhich utilizes the attractive force of permanent magnetic material tosecure the engaging parts together.

Another object of our invention is to provide a permanent magneticjewelry clasp which is simple to fasten and unfasten.

Another object of our invention is to provide a permanent magneticjewelry clasp which if accidentally sprung open will not suffer anyillefiects.

Another object of our invention is to provide a permanent magneticjewelry clasp which may be readily engraved, or combined with a stone orstones, to enhance its appearance.

Other objects of our invention are to provide an improved jewelry clasp,simple and sturdy in construction, easily and economically produced,

and which is highly efficient in use.

With the above and related objects in view, our invention consists inthe details of construction and combination of parts, as will be morefully understood from the following description when read in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of our invention as usedin connection with a bracelet and/or necklace.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the various parts of a permanent magneticclasp embodying our invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the elements comprising another embodimentof our invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled elements of the permanentmagnetic clasp of Fig. 4.

Fig. c is a perspective view of the elements of our clasp in a closedposition.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line l! of Fig. 6.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawing wherein similar referencecharacters are used to denote similar parts, we show a permanentmagnetic jewelry clasp, generally designated as A, with a piece ofjewelry, generally designated as B, attached thereto.

In the embodiment of our invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, theclasp A comprises a magnetic material receptacle [0 having a hollowinterior i2 defined by an upraised wall IZA and 1213. The wall [2A isslightly lower than the wall [213, each Wall travels approximatelyone-half way around the periphery of the receptacle H). The wall IZB isin symmetrical relation to the wall IZA. A permanent magnet it having acentrally positioned bore l6 therethrough is inserted and secured by asuitable means in the hollow interior i2. The magnet I4 is of suchthickness that its top plane is even with the uppermost portion of thewall IZA, and is of such length that it only fills the hollow interiori2 on the side opposite the wall IZB, thus reducing the weight of theclasp A. A plate or magnetic keeper l8 conforming to the size and shapeof the magnet I4 is provided with a small centrally positioned pin 20tointerfit with the bore 16. In use the magnet It holds the plate orkeeper [8 securely to itself while the pin 2|] within the bore 16 holdsthe plate from sliding along the magnet and thus coming apart. One endof a piece of jewelry B is permanently attached to the wall IZB by anysuitable means such as welding, soldering or brazing so the emptyportion of the receptacle is completely covered and then thecomplementary end of the piece of jewelry B is permanently attached tothe plate or keeper [8. To insure a neat joint 22 the plate or keeper Itshould be in engagement with the permanent magnet l4 when the markingsfor securing the jewelry B to the plate or keeper it are made.

While only a straight joint 22 is illustrated, it is readily apparent,that any configuration of joint may be fitted easily together with theexercise of reasonable care.

The magnetic clasp A is easily and readily secured by placing the keeperpin 26 within the bore IS in the magnet whereafter the clasp A securesitself by the permanent magnet l4 exert ing an attractive force upon theplate or keeper I8. To open the clasp A is a simple matter involvingonly the holding of one end of the jewelry B while the other end islifted away against the attractive force of the magnet l4.

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 illustrate another embodiment of our inventionhaving a permanent magnetic material receptacle 10A, a hollow interiorwhich is of slightly smaller size but identical con: figuration than thereceptacle IUA so it can rest within and against the wall IZFto: limit.the

slidable movement of the plate or keeper 18A in one plane. The joiningoftliegjeweiry 33 i-tot'the receptacle IDA and keeper IBAmay'be d'onein'a conventional manner by means of the eyes 24A and 24B, respectively.We ha'veround thisvem;

bodiment of our invention very satisfactory for necklaces, chains, andother jewelry of this type.

A jewelry stone or stones 26 may be mounted upon theplate or keeper A toenhance the appearance of themat'ch: A4 3 From thee-foregoingdescription; i it is readily apparent that our irrventiorr is: easily 3.readily operable and should it he accidentally: separated there w-illbeno =il lefi eots to th'e 'clasp as the attractive ior-ee of themagnetwi l-l not-be impaired; It is also apparent that-ourinventionlends: itself'to modifications which haVe-notheen described but whichlrall' within the spirit of the inventions Although our invention has-.1been described 'in considerable detail, such description is-rne-relymeant Ltob'eillustrative rather than limiting, as our invention quay bevariously -ernbodied; and the scopeof the invention "is to be determined-as-"claimed-.-

We--claim as our invention? 1'. In amagnetiea'jewelry clasp;- a magnet-retaining member having-a-bottom and an-upwardly extending wall,saidwall provided with araised edge subtantiall-y over -one-ha'h of itsperiphery; saidraisede'dge being symmetrically disposed to theremainderpfsai'd' wallg apermanen't magnet secured wi thin said well andto 4 said bottom, said magnet having a centrally positioned boreextending therethrough, and a magnetic keeper of substantially the samesize and configuration as said magnet provided with a centrallypositioned pin to engage said bore, said keeper being of substantiallythe same thickness asv the raised edge portion of the wall and beingsecured by the attractive forceor said magnet to said magnet in coveringrelation to the portion of the retainer in which the magnet fits, saidpin fitting within said bore preventingjslidin-giof said keeper fromsaid magnet, and a piece of jewelry having one end permanently attached"to the raised edge portion of the wall 'in' coveringrelation to theempty portion of the retaining member, the other end of said jewelrybeing attached to. said keeper in covering relation thereto.

2'; Linear jewelry, and a clasp for releasably securing ends of thejewelry together comprising a: hox-likehousing secured'to one end of thejewelry and having" a bottom and upstanding walls,- said' wallshavingportions offset vertical-hr toformhigh'and low-portions, apermanent magnetmounted in sa-id'housing and having an upper faceirr the"plane ofupper'edges of the low-portions of the walls, and a metal platemounted against theunder-faee of theother end of said jewelry and"constituting "a keep erapplicable'slidably to the upper edges'of thelowwa'll'. portions {for engagement" with said magnet and havingabutting contact with shoulders formedbythe high wall portions; saidplate bein'g of a thickness disposing outersurfaces of' the ends of thejewelry substantiallyifiush with each other.

' JEROME" GOODMAN? ARNOLD 'G'OLD'MAN.

References Citedin the-file ofthis patent- UN-ITED STATES- PATENTSNumber Name Date 1,198,227 Hinchey Sept. 1.2, 1 916 2,47 5,573Smitliet-al; July 5', I949 2583;031 Awedon: SeptrZT, 1949

